Key Points:
- The planned resumption of the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra on September 14 has been postponed indefinitely due to continuous heavy rainfall.
- The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has cited pilgrim safety on the Bhawan and yatra routes as the primary reason for the delay.
- The pilgrimage has been suspended for 19 days following a devastating landslide on August 26 that claimed 34 lives and injured 20 others.
- This indefinite halt comes just days before the start of the Navratri festival on September 22, a peak period for the pilgrimage.
- Devotees are urged to await further official communication from the Shrine Board before making travel plans.
Katara: The highly anticipated resumption of the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, scheduled for September 14, has been postponed until further notice due to persistent heavy rains battering the region, the official shrine board announced. The decision dashes the hopes of thousands of pilgrims who were planning to undertake the sacred journey after a 19-day suspension.
Setback After Brief Hope
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) had previously announced on September 12 that the yatra would resume on September 14, provided the weather was favorable. However, continuous and heavy rainfall along the pilgrimage track and near the Bhawan (sanctum sanctorum) prompted the board to reverse its decision, prioritizing the safety of devotees.
In a post on the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), the Shrine Board stated, “Due to incessant rain at Bhawan & the track, the commencement of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra scheduled from 14th September stands postponed till further order. Devotees are requested to stay updated through official communication channels”.
Lingering Impact of August 26 Tragedy
The pilgrimage has remained suspended since August 26, when a catastrophic landslide, triggered by extreme rainfall, struck the yatra route near Adhkuwari. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of 34 pilgrims and left 20 others injured. In the aftermath, the administration had taken precautionary measures, including vacating hotels and dharamshalas in the base town of Katra. The 19-day halt marks the longest interruption of the yatra since the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
The tragedy led to criticism of the Shrine Board’s management. Following the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the chairman of the SMVDSB, ordered the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the landslide. He had informed that the yatra was suspended shortly before the landslide struck the track.
With the Navratri festival set to begin on September 22, a time that traditionally sees a massive surge in visitors, the indefinite postponement has left both pilgrims and local businesses in a state of uncertainty. Authorities have affirmed that the yatra will only resume once the weather stabilizes and the tracks are deemed completely safe for passage.
